Gluten Hates Me

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Winner, Winner Gluten Free Chicken Dinner

Phew! Where do I begin with this week? Wait…is it only Tuesday?! I’ll start with today and work my way backwards :)

Today was DAY ONE of no Starbucks. Last week I went to Starbucks E-V-E-R-Y S-I-N-G-L-E day!! That’s around $25, and NO, I am not made out of money. The stress of working 10 days in a row was sitting in the back of my mind, and I was using that as an excuse to spend WAY over my budget. I currently budget one Starbucks a week. So I made a French Press at home today, and while it wasn’t the same…it kept me energized until around noon. (Starbucks will keep me going until 2pm)

So knowing that I may need a bit of extra energy this morning, I gave my oats a boost:

Pumpkin Pie Oats!!

I used the entire container of yogurt, which made the oats a bit soupy, but they were still great! The yogurt did have 20 grams of sugar which didn’t thrill me, but the taste was spot on.

We’re gearing up for the holidays at work, and we received a shipment of 28 boxes today!!!

Cuh-razy. I love my job, but having only two staff members (and Executive and Assistant Director) is HARD! Even though I had volunteers for each shift today, my boss ended up staying late and I’m going to go in early tomorrow!

I ate my lunch at 2pm, standing over the computer printing price tags. So for supper tonight I wanted a Southern Standard.

Gluten Free Fried Chicken Tenders

Dredged in beaten egg and Beth’s Gluten Free All Purpose. Tasty!!

Monday was a blur. I spent all day checking in inventory and re-packing inventory for an off-site sale at a local church. We do about a dozen off-site sales during the holidays, so I’m only beginning! It’s a great opportunity for us, and it’s helps spread awareness of fair trade; so even though it’s a lot of work, I can happily pack with a smile on my face. :)

I worked ALL weekend (the hump of my 10 day stretch), but Sunday night was just as fun as I thought it would be.

Parrish and I went over to his brother’s house to celebrate his wife Katie’s birthday. I was giddy all day on Sunday because I’m pretty much in love with Katie and I couldn’t wait to give her presents!

PLUS her husband (Parrish’s brother) Chuck is AHH-mazing in the kitchen! Sunday morning I packed my camera charger, because I wanted to be sure that I would have enough battery to document the entire meal for you…

…yeah, I forgot to pack my camera.

Ugh.

So my words will have to suffice…although they can never describe how delicious this meal was.

The starter was a large chilled shrimp wrapped in a leaf of wilted basil and cured prosciutto, served with a wedge of lemon. !!!

The meal was STEAK!! Steak Sundays are back!! Chuck created a rub with freshly ground salt and pepper, thyme, sage, and rosemary. He rubbed the steaks SUPER well, and placed them on a HOT grill. That way the rub chars on the edges, preserving the flavor. SOOOOOO good. He served it with roasted potatoes (favorite) and button mushrooms cooked in red wine.

Oops, my mouth is watering!

I wish you guys could have been there. It was divine. I am thoroughly convinced that there restaurant steak can’t hold a candle to steak cooked at home. It’s all about the rub.

This week will be over before we know it, and that’s exciting! Parrish and I have a trip to Wilmington planned this weekend. PLUS, exciting for you, next week will bring about the most exciting giveaway…EVER…posted on this blog!

Secondly - good for you on the Starbucks...I use quicken to keep track of my spending & was downright shocked at how much I spent at Starbucks last month. If you are fan of the Peppermint Mocha - International Delights makes a Chocolate Mint Truffle coffee creamer that is very good & gluten free.

Your chicken tenders look amazing. I was a vegetarian before becoming pregnant and now I have a constant craving for the one thing you can't find anywhere gluten free, Chicken fingers. I tried making some the other day. Rolled in egg and crushed chex, but it just wasn't right. Yours look amazing! Glad I found your blog.